South Asia Citizens Web

The fact that people, especially women, are still flogged in the Maldives is a serious blot on the country’s otherwise increasingly positive and progressive image overseas. There should be no place for flogging anywhere in the 21st century, and by continuing to carry out floggings – albeit only occasionally – the Maldives is in breach of its obligations under several international treaties. I discussed with the President and his ministers, as well as with the members of the judiciary I met during this visit, how to bring a halt to a practice that has long been recognized in international law as cruel and degrading treatment that often amounts to torture.

Karamat Ali, Executive Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), said that Pakistanis would never support heinous acts like the terror attacks of 26/11. "Both countries are victims of terrorism," he said, "citizens are more interested in governance and basic needs than any conflict with India."

Besides Koodankulam, local communities in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, and Gorakhpur, Haryana, are nixing nuclear power plants in their area. But government continues to maintain they are 100% safe, and that there is no alternative to nuclear energy. Nityanand Jayaraman and G Sundar Rajan dispel misconceptions about the safety of nuclear energy

Indian courts have consistently upheld and championed the fundamental right to free speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution. This includes the right to put forward different and contrary views, right or wrong. A recent instance saw the Supreme Court of India striking down Uttar Pradesh’s ban on the film Aarakshan. This article by A.P. Shah, retired Chief Justice of the Madras and Delhi High Courts, sets out key issues relating to freedom of expression and censorship by the state.

What’s Islamic law and a sharia court doing in a secular democratic polity? Your guess is as good as mine. The J&K government, it seems, knows better. Acting suo motu, the police arrested the priest within 24-hours of a warning from Kashmir’s grand mufi. Why should conversion of a few Muslims to Christianity be deemed a malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings?